Gulfstream Park witnessed a thrilling turf spectacle on Saturday as Speed Shopper, guided by Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, stormed past the field to claim her first graded-stakes victory in the $175,000 Christophe Clement (G3). The 1 ½-mile contest for older fillies and mares marked a poignant debut under its new name, honoring the late trainer Christophe Clement, who passed away last year at 59 after amassing 2,576 career wins.
Settled in third along the inside rail, Speed Shopper bided her time as 15-1 longshot Arya Stark dictated the pace through a swift half-mile in 50.20 seconds. Flanked by Weighted Average and closely tracked by Venencia, Arya Stark set a lively tempo, while favorite No Show Sammy Jo began to make headway on the far outside. Velazquez remained patient, waiting for the right moment to swing Speed Shopper between rivals as the stretch opened.
At the top of the lane, Speed Shopper surged past the leaders, drawing clear to win by 1 ¾ lengths in 2:26.76 over a firm turf course. Arya Stark stubbornly held second by a neck over Weighted Average, with Venencia, Ramsey Pond, Fionn, No Show Sammy Jo, Alluring Angel, and Gallant Greta completing the order of finish.
Making her 5-year-old debut, Speed Shopper improved her record to 3-2-1 from nine starts. She enters 2026 on the heels of a narrow second in the Rodeo Drive (G2) last fall and a decisive victory in the Florence at Turfway Park over 1 ¼ miles, showcasing her growing aptitude at longer distances.
The Christophe Clement (G3) was the second of ten stakes races on Gulfstream’s Pegasus World Cup Day card, seven of them graded, featuring total purses of $5.675 million. The event highlighted the enduring legacy of Clement, who won the La Prevoyante six times, a record that underscored his mastery in training turf fillies and mares.
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